World Neurosurg
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The proclivity to atlantoaxial instability (AAI) has been widely reported for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Down syndrome. Similarly, we have found a higher than expected incidence of AAI in hereditary connective tissue disorders. We demonstrate a strong association of AAI with manifestations of dysautonomia, in particular syncope and lightheadedness, and make preliminary observations as to the salutary effect of surgical stabilization of the atlantoaxial motion segment. ⋯ This study draws attention to the potential for AAI to present with syncope or presyncope that is refractory to medical management, and for surgical stabilization of AAI to lead to improvement of these and other autonomic symptoms.
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This work aimed to analyze the value of serum platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of recurrent ovarian cancer. ⋯ CA125 and PLR combined with DWI had the best diagnostic effect for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. After treatment, the levels of PLR and CA125 were reduced and the quality of life of patients was improved.
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By stabilizing immature leaky vessel formation in neomembranes, statin drugs have been suggested as a nonsurgical treatment option for chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). Statin therapy seems to reduce conservatively managed cSDH volume. However, the usefulness of these medications in supplementing surgical treatment is unknown. ⋯ Statin use is associated with improved cSDH size postoperatively. Statin drugs might represent a low-cost and low-risk supplement to the surgical management for patients with cSDH.
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Stable water dynamics during endoscopic spine surgery improves the surgeon's comfort and patient's outcomes. We aimed to measure the water dynamics during spinal surgery and identify the factors that facilitate stable water dynamics. ⋯ During biportal endoscopy, we suggest maintaining water pressure between 4.41 cm H2O (2.41 mm Hg) and 31.00 cm H2O (22.83 mm Hg). Compared to physical characteristics, placement of the cannula and appropriate cannula length are important factors that affect water dynamics.
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Gamma Knife surgery is a complementary procedure to open microsurgery for several indications. However, posttreatment symptomatic complaints are common and often result in short-term follow-up imaging. Here we evaluate the efficacy of repeat brain imaging within 30 days of a Gamma Knife procedure by analyzing the frequency with which that imaging reveals addressable pathology. ⋯ Gamma Knife therapy remains a safe treatment for multiple indications, but it is not risk free and acute symptomatic complaints are common. However, our data suggest that the need for reimaging within 30 days for symptomatic complaints is likely overestimated as obtained imaging does not usually show any change and the rate of significant complication is exceedingly low.